The Open University

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Free Online Courses

The Open University is just that- a university education that is totally open to all, in any country, of any age or background. Its open learning scheme provides over 600 free online courses in various topics, for those who wish to change career, learn more about their current one, gain a qualification or simply enjoy learning something new. Courses are available from introductory to advanced level, each taking between 1 and 50 hours to study.

Pay for separate modules- £1316 for 30 credits or £2632 for 60 credits

No formal entry requirements

Over 6000 expert tutors to provide support, mark work, and group or online tutorials

15 curriculum partnerships in 23 countries

Option to register and discuss a topic in a forum, write a journal entry, share your ideas, views and questions with others, find out the latest news about the topics you’re interested, use the tools in the LabSpace, download educational resources and adapt them to your needs in and more

the Open University is used by over 30,000 companies to develop their staff

Site Pros

Totally free entry, with no formal requirements needed

Gives those with children, jobs, or the inability to travel a way to gain university education and improve themselves from home

Huge range of courses, with everything clearly laid out

Courses and modules devised by leading professorsand thinkers in education

Gives university-standard courses without the need for previous qualifications or experience

Flexibility of courses means that you can it courses around work, doubling your course’s length in order to fit it around any jobs you have

Site Cons

The Open University allows those with no previous qualifications or experience to enter does mean that some might begin a course which they can’t complete– and are left with a great deal to pay without having gained anything back

Other Tips

Can study full-time (on average 3 years) or part time (normally double that)- depending on if you need to work another job to pay your way

Free content available on Youtube, iTunes U, OpenLearn and Open Research Online

All fees include course materials, support, assessments, and exams

If your income is less than £25,000, you may be able to get a free introductory Access module, as well as help with travel, childcare and internet access

Overview

The Open University is a fantastic place for those who need to work to support families or who don’t have the qualifications to enter a normal university to gain real, university-level skills, through hard work and patience. While it can be expensive- as any university is- it provides those with limited options a chance to succeed. For anyone for whom other universities are inaccessible, or who simply don’t have the time to study in such a place, the Open University is an opportunity not to be missed.